Make a Stand Against Texting and Driving

Friday, August 2 2013

Lakeland Regional Medical Center

By Debra Myers, Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is “failing to focus your full attention on the road” and it’s the leading cause of most crashes. NHTSA says there are three main types of distractions: visual — taking your eyes off the road; manual — taking your hands off the wheel; and cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing.

Also according to NHTSA, sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds — that’s the equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field – BLIND! A lot can happen in that football field length of time. Make a commitment to yourself and loved ones to put your cell phone down while driving, and wait until you come to a complete stop before texting.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from distracted driving. Join the “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All” effort to prevent distracted driving. Visit www.distraction.gov and take the pledge to commit to distraction-free driving today!